You will find here news and information on Indiana (mostly) divorce, child support, child custody, visitation/parenting time matters, prenuptial agreements, and other family law matters. I also toss in some of my opinions. Please understand that this blog is not intended as legal advice for your particular case. Nothing about this blog makes me your lawyer.

Saturday, October 13, 2007

A financial divorce settlement between Sir Paul McCartney and Heather Mills was in the balance last night after the couple emerged from eight hours of negotiations at a private High Court hearing. It is believed that the pair have agreed a package worth in the region of £50 million — but that the negotiations have stalled over the scope of the confidentiality clause to be included.

Yes, that is a lot of money. Does it mean that it so much different from your divorce? Only in the bigger things.

Here the problem lies in reaching an agreement. Reaching an agreement means both sides saying okay to the same thing. That can be hard enough to reach if the family's assets are only $50.00. If one or both parties are bound to disagree on any thing, there will be no agreement. Without an agreement, the judge decides the case. What the judge decides may not be acceptable to either of you. In which case you or your now former spouse may need to appeal (see my posts on Appeals under the heading "What I have written by Category" down the right hand side of this post). Consider now the costs from disagreement. Therein lies the real difference between your case and Paul McCartney - the ability to finance the litigation.

How to avoid this? First, listen to your lawyer. A lawyer with any experience can give you a good cost-benefit analysis of the case. It is then your choice on how to proceed (and not the lawyer's choice). Take serious stock of whether you are indulging merely in stubbornness. Consider what you have in hand against what you might get.

I would say that a prenuptial agreement might have prevented the whole problem. However, those agreements are more talked about than used (see my posts on Prenuptial Agreements under the heading "What I have written by Category" down the right hand side of this post).

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About Me and My Practice

This blog exists for providing information and news about Indiana's laws on divorce and child support and child custody and parenting time and grandparent's rights. I also have tried to show off my law practice a bit at the same time. If you want to know even more about my law practice,just follow this link.

I began practicing law over twenty years ago and I am a solo practitioner. I am licensed to practice in all Indiana state and federal courts, but I do tend to limit my practice to those counties within a 100 mile radius. You can read my detailed background by following the profile links below.If you are looking to hire an attorney, please give me a call or send me an e-mail. My contact information is:

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Please understand that this blog is not intended as legal advice for your particular case. Nothing about this blog makes me your lawyer. Nor can I answer your particular legal problems. If you have a legal problem, you need to hire an attorney.